Charles De Ketelaere

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Charles De Ketelaere Poised for Key Role in Belgium's 2026 World Cup Campaign

Charles De Ketelaere, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder/forward for Atalanta, is strongly positioned to play a significant role in Belgium's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite a recent history of minor injuries, his consistent inclusion in the national team, coupled with his versatile playing style and positive club performances, paints a promising picture for his World Cup prospects.

Current Form and Club Performance

For the 2025/2026 season, De Ketelaere has been an active contributor for Atalanta across Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League. In Serie A, he has scored 2 goals in 16 matches, with an overall goal involvement of 0.23 per 90 minutes. He has also registered 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 UEFA Champions League appearances. These statistics demonstrate his continued presence and impact in a top European league and elite club competition.

Injury Status

De Ketelaere has experienced several minor muscular and thigh injuries in late 2025, with return dates typically within a few weeks. He was expected to return from a thigh injury in late October 2025 and was also noted to have muscle fatigue in October 2025, causing him to miss some matches. However, he has since returned to action, featuring regularly for Atalanta and the national team, including scoring a brace and providing an assist in a 7-0 World Cup qualifier win against Liechtenstein in November 2025.

National Team Prospects and Analysis

Belgium has already secured its qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Rudi Garcia taking over as head coach in January 2025. De Ketelaere has been a consistent inclusion in Garcia's squads for the World Cup qualifiers in 2025, notably being listed among the attacking options in September 2025 and October 2025. He scored two goals and provided an assist in a qualifying match against Liechtenstein in November 2025, further solidifying his place.

Experts and past analyses highlight De Ketelaere's versatility as a major asset, with the ability to excel as an attacking midfielder or a forward. His playing style is characterized by strong dribbling, excellent ball-carrying, impressive passing range, vision, and effective off-the-ball movement. He is also noted for his aerial ability, utilizing his 6'4" (192cm) frame in both offensive and defensive situations. His knack for finding pockets of space and creating chances for others makes him a valuable playmaking presence. Some past critiques pointed to occasional inconsistencies in his finishing and a tendency to overuse his left foot when playing on the left wing, which defenders could exploit. However, his overall development suggests an increasingly well-rounded player.

De Ketelaere is considered a key figure in Belgium's "new generation" of talent, aiming to build on the legacy of the "Golden Generation". With experienced players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku facing the latter stages of their careers and some injury concerns, younger talents like De Ketelaere are expected to step into more prominent roles. His ability to operate across various attacking positions – including central attacking midfield, and both flanks, and as a false nine or target man – provides tactical flexibility for Coach Garcia.

In conclusion, Charles De Ketelaere's consistent club performance, demonstrated effectiveness in World Cup qualifiers, and adaptable playing style make him a strong contender for a significant role in Belgium's pursuit of glory at the FIFA World Cup 2026. His continued development and ability to stay fit will be crucial in the lead-up to the tournament.